Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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794. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to make it easier for trainee counselling and educational psychologists to become fully qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6662/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2019, HSE Community Operations convened a Project Team, chaired by Dr Cathal Morgan, to consider the preparation of a workforce plan for psychological services in the HSE, including an examination of the current framework for training psychologists for the health service, and the type, and skill-mix, required for the future.

The work of the Project Team has been informed by a thorough stakeholder consultation process but, unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of the Project Team was delayed.

The Report of the National Psychology Project Team – Establishment of a National Psychology Placement Office and Workforce Planning was completed in January 2021.

In line with its Terms of Reference, the Project Team Report sets out proposals to establish a national psychology placement function within the HSE and outlines considerations for a workforce plan for psychological services in the HSE. A recommendation in relation to consideration of funding of counselling psychologists along the same lines as clinical psychologists was also included.

Currently, clinical psychologists in training are funded for 60% of course fees and are employed as trainee psychologists for the duration of their training. This is unlike any of the other health and social care professionals.

Implementation of the report’s recommendations and the creation of a National Psychology Placement Office is a matter for the HSE to progress in the context of available resources.

The establishment of the Psychology Assistant post on a permanent basis also marks a significant achievement in promoting enhanced access to vital primary care psychology supports.